Kenya is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. The country has a diverse range of agricultural products that are exported to other countries, which means that there are opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to start their own farming business.
One type of farming you might consider starting is red creole onion farming.
Most red creole in Kenya originate from the neighboring country Tanzania.But farmers in Kenya are now starting to produce more and more of it.
In this article will discuss how you can get started with this particular type of farming so that you have all the information necessary before investing your time or money into it.
What Are Red Creoles?
Red Creoles originate from Louisiana but were first grown in Kenya by an American missionary back in 1918. They have become popular across East Africa because they tolerate extreme heat and drought, which means they are more resilient to climate change.
Red Creole onions have a distinctive deep red color that is partly caused by the soil in which they grow. Because of this,their flavor is sweeter than most other types of onion.
Red creole farming conditions in Kenya
Below are the appropriate growing conditions for this type of onion;
Climate
This type of onion can grow in tropical and sub-tropical climates, which means it is perfect for Kenya.The climate should be warm but not too humid for these onions to blossom into maturity.
The ideal time to plant them is between September and November as this is when we have the short rains.
Harvesting is done in January when it is dry and when prices are high.
Soil
Red Creoles thrive on sandy soil that does not have a lot of clay content.
The soil needs to be well drained so that the water doesn’t pool around the roots .
The soil PH should be between 5.5 and 6.5,
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for these onions is between 18 and 33 degrees Celsius.
Temperature below this can cause the plants to die or flower prematurely because of frost.
If they are planted outside, mulch should be used in order to keep moisture levels constant.
Height